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Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 1006, 30 July 1870, Page 4

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Br Cham.es Reade and Dion Boucicault. chapter lxiii. — Continued. The very day General Rolleston became Sir Edward, a man and a woman called at the Charmg 1 Cross Hotel, and asked for Miss Helen Rolleston. The answer was, she had left the hotel about ten days. " Where is she gone, if you please ?" v We don't know." " Why, hasn't she left her new address ?" '* No. The footman came for letters several times." No information was to be got here, and Mr. Penfold and Nancy House went home greatly disappointed, and puzzled what to do. At first sight it may appear easy for Mr. Penfold to learn the new address of Miss Rolleston. He had only to ask Arthur Wardlaw. But, to tell the truth, during the last fortnight Nancy Rouse had impressed her views steadily and persistently on his mind, and he had also made a discovei*y that cooperated with her influence and arguments to undermine his confidence in his employer. What that discovery was we must leave him to relate. Looking, then, at mattei-s with a less unsuspicious eye than heretofore, he could not help observing that Arthur Wardlaw never put into the office letter-box a single letter for his sweetheart. "He must write to her," thought Michael ; " but I am not to know her address. Suppose after all he did intercept that letter." And now, like other simple, credulous men, whose confidence has been shaken, he was literally brimful of suspicions, somo of them reasonable, some of them rather absurd. He had too little art to conceal his change of mind, and so, very soon after his vain attempt to see Helen Rolleston at the inn, he was bundled off to Scotland on business of the office. Nancy missed him sorely. She felt quite alone in the world. She managed to get through the day — work helped her ; but at night she sat disconsolate and bewildered, and she was now beginning to doubt her own theory. For certainly, if all that money had been Joe Wylie's, he would hardly have left the country without it. Now, the second evening after Michael's departure, she was seated in his room, brooding, when suddenly she heard a peculiar knocking next door. She listened a little while, and then stole softly downstairs to her own little room. Her suspicions were correct. It was the same sort of knocking that had preceded the phenomenon of the hand and bank-notes. She peeped into the kitchen, and whispered, "Jenny — Polly — come here." A stout washerwoman and the mite of a servant came, wondering. " Now you stand there," said Nancy, "and do as I bid you. Hold your tongues now. I know all about it." The myrmidoms stood silent, but with palpitating bosoms ; for the mysterious knocking now concluded, and a brick in the chimney began to move. It came out, and immediately a hand, with a ring on it, came through the aperture and felt about. The mite stood firm, but the big washerwoman gave signs of agitation, that promised to end in a scream. Nancy put her hand roughly before the woman's mouth. " Hold your tongue, ye great soft " And without finishing her sentence, she darted to the chimney, and seized the hand with both her own, and pulled it with such violence that the wrist followed it through the masonry, and a muffled roar was heard. "Hold on to my waist, Polly," she cried. " Jenny, take the poker, and that string, and tie his hand to it while we hold on. Quick! quick! Are ye asleep ?" Thns adjured the mite got the poker against the wall, and tried to tie the wrist to it. This, however, was not so easy ; the hand struggled so desperately. However, pulling is a matter of weight rather than muscle ; and the weight of the two women pulling downwards overpowered the violent struggles of the man ; and the mite contrived to tie the poker to the wrist, and repeat the ligatures a dozen times in a figure of eight. Then the owner ot the hand, who had hitherto shown violent strength taken at a disadvantage, now shewed intelligence. Convinced that skill as well as force were against him, he ceased to struggle, and became quite quiet. The women contemplated their feat with flushed cheeks and sparkliug eyes. When they had feasted a reasonable time on the impi'isoned hand, and two of them, true to their sex, had scrutinised a green stone upon one of the fingers, to see if it was real or false, Nancy took them by the shoulders and bundled them goodhumouredly out of the room. She then lowered the gas and came out, and locked the room up, and put the key in her pocket. , "I'll have my supper with you," said she. " Come, Jenny, I'm cook ; and you make the kitchen as a body could eat off it, for I expect visitors." " La, ma'am," said the mite, "he can't getout of the chimbley to visit bus through the street door." " No, girl," said Nancy. " But he can send a hambassador : so Show her heyes and plague her art, as the play says, for of all the dirty kitchens give me hers. I was never there but once, and my slipper came off for the muck, sticking to a body like bird-lime." i

There was a knock at Nancy's street door : the little servant, full of curiosity was for running to it on the instant. But Nancy checked her. " Take }'our time," said she. "It is only a lodging-house keeper." CHAPTER LXIV. Sir Edward Rolleston could not but feel his obligations to the Wardlaws, and when his daughter got better, he spoke warmly on the subject, and asked her to consider seriously whether she had not tried Arthur's affection sufficiently. "He does not complain to you, I know," said he ; " but be feels it very hard, that you should punish him for an act of injustice which has already so deeply afflicted him. He says he believes some fool or villian heard him say that two thousand pounds was to be borrowed between them, and went and imposed on Robert Penfold's credulity ; meaning, perhaps, to call again after the note had been cashed, and get Arthur's share of the money." "But why did not Arthur come forward ?" "He declares he did not know when the trial was till a month after ; and his father bears him out ; says he was actually delirious, and his life in danger. I myself can testify that he was cut down just in this way when he heard the ' Proserpine' was lost, and you on board her. Why not give him credit for the same genuine distress at young Penfold's misfortune ? Come, Helen, is it fair to afflict and punish this gentleman for the misfortune of another, whom he never speaks of but with affection and pity ? He says that if you would marry him at once, he thinks he should feel strong enough to throw himself into the case with you, and would spare neither money nor labor to clear Robert Penfold ; but as it is, he says he feels so wretched, and so tortured with jealousy, that he can't co-operate warmly with you, though his conscience reproaches him every day. Poor young man ! His is really a very hard case. For you promised him your hand before you ever saw Robert Penfold." " I did," said Helen ; " but I did not say when. Let me have one year for my good work, before I devote my whole life to Arthur." " Well, it will be a year wasted. Why postpone your marriage for that ?" " I promised." " Yes, but he chose to fancy young Wardlaw his enemy. You might relax that, now Arthur tells you he will cooperate with you as your husband. Now, Helen, tell the truth — is it a woman's work ? Have you found it so ? Will not Arthur do it better than you ?" Helen, weakened already by days of suffering, began to cry, and say, " What shall I do ?— what shall I do ?" "If you have auy doubt, my dear," said Sir Edward, " then think of what I owe to the Wardlaws." And with that, he kissed her, and left her in tears ; and soon after sent Arthur himself up to plead his own cause. It was a fine summer afternoon ; the long French casements, looking on the garden of the Square, were open, and the balmy air came in and wooed the beautiful girl's cheeks, and just stirred her hair at times. Arthur Wardlaw cam 6 softly in, and gazed at her as she lay ; her loveliness filling his heart and soul : he came and knelt by her sofa, and took her hand and kissed it, and his own eyes glistened with tenderness. He had one thing in his favor — beloved her. Her knowledge of this had more than once befriended him, and made her refuse to suspect him of any great ill ; it befriended him now. She turned a look of angelic pity on him. "Poor Arthur !" she said. "You and I are both unhappy." "But we shall be happy ere long, I hope," said Arthur. Helen shook her head. Then he petted her, and coaxed her, and said he would be her servant, as well as her husband, and no wish of her heai't should go ungratified. "None ?" said she, fixing her eyes on him. " Not one," said he ; " upon my honor." Then he was so soft and persuasive, and alluded so delicately to her plighted faith, that she felt like a poor bird caught in a silken net. " Sir Edward is very good," said he ; " he feels for me." At that moment a note was sent up. " Mr. Wardlaw is here, and has asked mo when the rnai'riage is to be. I can't tell him ; I look like a fool." Helen sighed deeply, and began to shed those tears that weaken a woman. She glanced despairingly to and fro ; and saw no escape. Then, Heaven knows why or wherefore, — probably with no clear design at all, but a woman's weak desire to cause a momentary diversion, to put off the inevitable for five minutes, — she said to Arthur, "Please give me that prayer-book. Thank you. It is right you should know this." And she put Cooper's deposition, and Welch's, into his hands. He devoured them, and started up in great indignation. "It is an abominable slander," said he. "We have lost ten thousand pounds by the wreck of that ship ; and Wylie's life was saved by a miracle as well as your own. It is a foul slander. I hurl it from me." And he made his words good by whirling the prayer-book out of the window. Helen uttered a scream. "My mother's prayer-book !" she cried. " Oh, I beg pardon," said he. " And well you may," said she. " Ring and send George after it."

"No, I'll go myself," said he. "Pray' forgive me : don't you know what a terrible slander they have desecrated your prayer-book with." He ran out, and was a long time gone. He came back at last, looking terrified. "I can't find it," said he: "somebody has carried it off. Oh, how unfortunate I am !" " Not find it !" said Helen. " But it must be found." "Of course it must be found," said Arthur. " A pretty scandal to go into the hands of Heaven knows who. I shall offer twenty guineas reward for it at once. I'll go down to The Times this moment. Was ever anything so unlucky !" " Yes, go at once," said Helen ; " and T'!l send the servants into the Square. I don't want to say anj'thing unkind, Arthur, but you ought not to have thrown my prayer-book into the public street." " I know I ought not. I am ashamed of it myself." " Well, let me see the advertisement." " You shall. I have no doubt we shall recover it." Next morning The Times contained an advertisement offering twenty guineas for a prayer-book lost in Hanover Square, and valuable, not in itself, but as a relic of a deceased parent. In the afternoon Arthur called to know if anyone had brought the prayer-book back. Helen shook her head sadly, and said, "No." He seemed very sorry, and so penitent, that Helen said, "Do not despair. And if it is gone, why I must remember you have forgiven me something, and I must forgive you." The footman came in. "If you please, miss, here is a woman wishes to speak to you ; says she has brought a prayer-book." " Oh, show her up at once," cried Helen. Arthur turned away his head to hide a cynical smile. He had good reasons for thinking it was not the one he had fluug out of the window yesterday. A tall woman came in, wearing a thick veil, that concealed her features. She entered on her business at once. " You lost a prayer-book in this Square yesterday, madam ?" " Yes." " You offer twenty guineas reward for it ?" " Yes." " Please to look at this one." Helen examined it, and said with joy it was hers. Arthur was thunderstruck. He could not believe his senses. " Let me look at," said he. His eyes went at once to the writing. He turned as pale as death, and stood petrified. The woman took the prayer-book out of his unresisting hand, and said — "You'll excuse ine v sir ; but it is a large reward, and gentlefolks sometimes go from their word when the article is found." Helen, who was delighted at getting back her book, and rather tickled at Arthur having to pay twenty guineas for losing it, burst out laughing, and said, " Give her the reward, Arthur ; I am not going to pay for your misdeeds." "With all my heart," said Arthur, struggling for composure. He sat down and drew a cheque. " What name shall I put ?" "Hum! Edith Hesket." " Two t's ?" v ' No, only one." "There." " Thank you, sir." She put the cheque into her purse, and brought the prayer-book to Helen. " Lock it up at once," said she, in a voice so slow that Arthur heard a murmur but not the words ; and she retired, leaving Helen staring with amazement, and Arthur in a cold perspiration. [to be continued.]

Science and Art. — A striking instance of the immense value a small piece of steel may acquire by the great power of skilled mechanical labour is the balance-spriug of the watch. From its extreme fineness and delicacy 4,060 weigh, not more than one ounce, and exceed in value £1,000. A most interesting little work, describing the rise and progress of watchmaking, hns been published by J. W. Benson, 25 Old Bond Street and the City Steam Factory, 58 and GO, Ludgate Hill. The book, which is profusely illustrated, gives a full description of the various kinds of watches and clocks, with their prices. Mr. Benson (who holds the appointment to the Prince of Wales) has also published a pamphlet on Artistic Gold Jewellery, illustrated with the most beautiful designs of Bracelets, Brooches, Earrings, Luckets, &c, &c, suitable for Wedding, Birthday, and other presents. These pamphlets are sent post free for two stamps each, and they cannot be too strongly recommended to those contemplating a purchase, especially to residents in the country or abroad, who are thus enabled to select any article they may require, and have it forwarded with perfect safety. — AI)VT. The plough excels every other farm tool, and stands as the type of agriculture maluly because it is so exactly adapted to turning under. Many modes of pulverising are cheaper. When farming is so conducted that farmers have no weeds or long manure to plough in, the plough will be less used. In India the elephant is made serviceable before a gigantic plough. The implement is guided by two men, and turns up a huge ridge and forms a furrow three feet deep by four and a half wide at the top. This is the deepest subsoil ploughing we have an account of. It will never be known how many human ailments are produced by eating the flesh of sickly animals. Careless feed, irregular drink, and rough usage after hard service, cause most of the evils from which horse-flesh suffer. Where land is high priced, people will be interested in fertilisers : but where a fresh surface is cheap, dung is thrown into holes or brooks. Some Japanese in California are raising tea and making silk. They succeed, and find the soil and climate well suiter). As agricultural progresses we may note an advance in feeding from grass to roots. The better the farming the more artificial food for slock.

into the Colony, which might be manufactured within its boundaries ; the total value, excluding sugar and spirits, amounted to near £1,500,000. The earnest attention of the Government he thought should be devoted to the subject, as it was one of immense importance to the future of the Colony. The honorable member concluded by doubting the accuracy of Mr. Wilson's quotation from the future historian; he ventured to state he had read the page upside down, and in order to prevent misapprehension he would correct. As the speech will be found in Hansard, I need not further allude to it. Mr. Ormoxd spoke in favour of the measure, and said he derived great consolation, from the fact that it was a death blow to Bumbledom, in the persons of Snperintendehts of Provinces. He hoped that the Government would not pass the measnre, but be content with a vote for the year, and refer the matter to a new Parliament. Mr. Cueighton approved of the scheme, and also of doing away with Provincial Institutions, and the conflicting land laws of the Colony. He strongly opposed the tariff proposals, and objected to the defence vote for five years. Mr. Borlasb was simply aghast that the Government did not ask for twenty millions, and ■ that they proposed to impose pi%otection duties. Mr. Haughton, who is looked npon as the funny man of the House, made a very amusing speech, which evoked roars of laughter. The tendency of his remarks, if not meant in an ironical sense — which did not appear clear — was in favour of supporting the Government measure, and doing it at once, aud not to leave it to a new Parliament of inexperienced members to deal with. Mr. O'Neill made a laboured speech, of which dry statistical quotations formed the chief part. He was a sanguine supporter of the measure. He fired up at the end, and declared that the bold projectors of the scheme were worthy of having their names wrote on the bruit roll of eternal fame, and then subsided. Mr. Wells moved the adjournment of the debate, which will be resumed to-morrow. Thus far the debate has progressed. There are only two or three more speakers, and then the Treasurer will reply. It is anticipated that Wednesday will see the debate finished. If the Government are inclined to push their measures they are sure to be carried, but I am inclined to think that the more prudent conrse will be adopted of leaving the final development of the scheme to the new Parliament. In the meantime there is no doubt that sufficient funds will be granted to go on with roads and immigration on a moderate scale, and give the Government time to elaborate details, which are absolutely required before the scheme can be gone into fully. [by electric telegraph.] Wellington, July 21. — Tareha and Mete Kingi made speeches on things in general, but expressed no opinion about the Financial Statement. Mr. Yogel replied last night in a speech of three and a-half hours. He was very severe on Richmond, Jollie, Wilson, and Gillies. He agreed to modify the proposals. Will only ask for power j to borrow £4,000,000 in money, including ! the £1,000,000 which the Imperial Go- \ vernment has undertaken to guarantee. Will apply only £100,000 to purchase of native lands, £100,000 for immigration, and will increase the sum for gold-fields to £300,000. Will appoint central immigration agent. The bonds to be sold at rates yielding not above six per cent, to buyers. Will introduce a Reciprocity Bill, imposing differential duties. Will only carry on roads •in North Island and immigration during tho recess. The question of where to construct and extent of railways will be left to next Parliament, but the measures will be carried through this session. Annual appropriation for defence, public works, and immigration, of which separate accounts will be kept. The tariff duties he will leave an opeu question. During the recess the Government will cause information to be collected with respect to where lines of railway will be most needed, and the cost of the same. Letters have been read to the House from the Commissioners, in which it is stated that money was easily to be obtained at Lome. Estimates for railways have been received from Charles Fox and Co., railway contractors. Narrow guage lines can be made from £3,500 to £5,000 per mile, including all cost except land. The Opposition has completely collapsed. The Oolonial Treasurer during his reply, was received with loud cheers. The Government will proceed with tha measures at once. GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. I stated in one of my letters that it was pi'obable the House of Representatives would be considerably modified before next session. A committee of both Houses of the Legislature has been appointed for the purpose of enquiring into the state of the building, and if rumour is correct, they •will report that a new building is necessary. It is said that a motion, stating that it was not desirable to build a new house was proposed, but was rejected. Considering the state of our finances, it appears rather reckless that a committee should recom- \ mend an expenditure of £20,000 for such. I a purpose, and I think when it is before the House it will be quietly extinguished. WAITARA BILL. I The bill brought in by Mr. Kelly to alter the name of the Town, of Raleigh to Waitara, has passed its second reading, ; but it was ruled by the Speaker that it j should be referred to the Private Bills Committee, as he had doubts as to whether it was not a private bill under the terms of the existing rules. Mr. Kelly argued that the Bill was in all respects a public Bill, as it did not .confer upon any indi-

vidual or section of the community any privilege which the whole could not enjoy, and recited the titles of Acts of former sessions, such as the "Law Associations Act," and the " Bishop of New Zealand's Trust Act," which were passed as public bills, but were undoubtedly more of a private nature than the Bill before the House. Mr. Gillies asked Mr. Kelly to postpone the second reading, as there were many persons who were much averse to the name of Waitara. Mr. Kelly did not see the force of that objection, and declined — so the Bill was passed. "SALE FOR NON-PAY.MEXTS OF RATE ACr AMENDMENT ACT." This Bill was introduced to remedy^ the practical defect of the Act of 1862, and on the second reading it was generally admitted that the Bill was necessary, but that ifc would fail to be an effectual remedy for the grievance complained of. The principal features of the Bill are that, after judgment has been obtained against the absentee owner, it shall be lawful for the Superintendent to advance the money to the Road Board. The Superintendent then lodges an inhibition against the land, and if the rate is not paid within twelve months, including the costs and fifteen to twenty per cent, interest, (though this is not clear), the wlutle of the land can be sold to recover it. It would much facilitate the collection of these rates if no fees were charged until the land was sold, and then the cost taken out of the proceeds. It is very probable that considerable improvemeuts will be effected in Committee, and that the Bill will be passed in a shape that will make it more effectual than at present, as it is probable that under the present Provincial laws, it is possible that persous who are not owners may be made liable. A Bill will be introduced to enable persons to appeal to the Resident Magistrate's Court against rate lists.